Highest-paid NFL players this season: Packers, Broncos shell out money with postseason chances on the brink

The Green Bay Packers and Denver Broncos had playoff aspirations entering the 2022-2023 season. Yet, both teams are on the brink of missing the postseason after doling out big money to their respective franchise quarterbacks. This offseason, Green Bay re-signed quarterback Aaron Rodgers to a three-year, $150.8 million-dollar contract with the team, including a $40.8 million signing bonus.

Quarterback Russell Wilson signed a five-year, $242 million-dollar contract with the Denver Broncos. The contract includes a $50 million-dollar signing bonus, $161 million guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $48.5 million. In total, Wilson is tied to the Broncos for seven seasons. He had two years remaining on his four-year, $140 million contract he signed with the Seattle Seahawks in April 2019.

The Packers and Broncos spent the most money among other teams in the league, but aren't exactly getting a return on their investment. Rodgers is far from an MVP candidate this season as the four-time MVP has looked all too human this season.

So far this season, Aaron Rodgers has thrown for 2,864 yards, 22 touchdowns, and nine interceptions for the Packers in 13 starts. The Green Bay star is on pace to throw for under 4,000 yards in a season for the fourth time since the 2008 - 2009 season. His nine interceptions are the most he has thrown since the 2008-2009 season when he threw 13.

In 11 starts for the Broncos, Wilson has thrown for 2,558 yards, eight touchdowns, and five interceptions. The nine-time Pro Bowler is on track to have the fewest yards and touchdowns in his NFL career. Also, Russell Wilson's 83.5 quarterback rating so far this season is the lowest since the 2016 - 2017 season when he had a 92.6 rating.

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What are the odds the Green Bay Packers and Denver Broncos make the playoffs this season?

The Green Bay Packers are currently outside the playoff picture with a 5 - 8 record after their Week 13 win over the Chicago Bears. Rodgers and the Packers are on a bye week in Week 14. Russell Wilson and the Broncos are on the verge of being eliminated from playoff contention with a 3 - 9 record.

Denver have lost four straight games, including losing to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 13. In Week 14, the Denver Broncos have no margin for error as they will face the Kansas City Chiefs. The reality is that both sides are almost certainly not going to feature in the postseason and their mathematical eliminations should come in the next few weeks.

We'll see if somehow, some way, Green Bay and Denver can reach the playoffs this season, but it is incredibly unlikely.